Rejections come in many variations. Personal rejections, form rejections, and then there's the mix between the personal and the form. Every editor may send different types of rejections, and those types will vary depending on her workload, and her feelings about that work. Let's not forget, editors are prone to headaches, bad-hair days, and PMS, just like everyone else. Therefore, it's very possible that the type of rejection you receive could be due to her mood.

Because rejections come in so many variations, and because just receiving a rejection can be an emotional experience, writers often have a hard time deciphering exactly why their manuscript was turned down.

Personal Rejection

While no one wants to be rejected personally, in the writing business, the personal rejection is always the best. Personal rejections mean the editor is responding directly to you concerning your writing and novel. Yes, comments directed specifically at your writing may sting more than the nonspecific comments of a form rejection, but it is only by understanding why your work was turned down that you can attempt to correct the problem. Below is an example of a personal rejection:

Dear Mrs. Smith:

Thank you for allowing me to read TEMPTED. There was a lot to love about this project: great, snappy dialogue, and good humor, and I especially liked the sexual tension seen in scenes such as the first kiss. However, ultimately, I found the hero unsympathetic, the plot a bit contrived, and the story just didn't work for us. Sorry to disappoint.

Sincerely,

Ms. Editor

A personal rejection may hurt more, but editors seldom take the time to write critiques unless they feel their constructive comments could actually help a writer who has creative talent. Reading the editor's remarks and giving them some thought is always wise.

Form Rejection

Just because you get a form rejection doesn't necessarily mean that the manuscript has no merit. Editors, due to time restraints, may have to rely on form rejections. However, it's easy to understand why some writers question if the editor even read the manuscript when they receive vague responses. Here is an example of a form rejection:

Dear Writer:

I'm sorry, but your manuscript does not meet our needs. Please forgive this form rejection; however, due to the numerous manuscripts we receive, our time is in short supply.

Thank you for considering us.

Sincerely,

Ms. Editor

Not even form rejections are a reason to give up writing. After all, many of today's classics received their share of no's, before receiving the final yes. Thirty-eight times, publishers turned down Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. They knew a good story when they saw one. Or did they?

The Form/Personal Mix Rejection

The mix letter will have your name, perhaps the title of your manuscript, but all comments are so vague they could be rejecting any of a dozen manuscripts. Often, a mix rejection will come with a handwritten note at the bottom saying something along the lines of “Author shows talent but needs to work on craft.” Here is an example of the mix rejection:

Dear Ms. Smith:

I've read your manuscript, TEMPTED, with interest, but I'm afraid it just didn't stand out enough for us to consider it. The number of manuscripts we receive precludes us from offering more detailed reasons for rejecting the works that land on our desks.

Thank you for allowing us to consider your work.

Sincerely,

Ms. Editor

Should you send a thank-you note to an editor for a rejection letter? While form rejections may not meet the criteria of a thank-you note, some personal rejection letters where the editor took a lot of time to make comments do seem appropriate. Plus, the more times you can get your name in front of the editor in a positive way, the more receptive she might be to read your next manuscript.